Now, before you freak out, just let me explain though I should probably give you a TMI warning.
I am not a survivalist, living off grid (though there is nothing wrong with that), and I don't try to recycle every item into something new (again nothing wrong with that).
There are a few reasons that I was intrigued with the concept and decided to try it out myself.
I purchased 2 yards of flannel material for just under $6.00 and two rolls of thread for $3 each.
I cut the fabric into 4" wide strips, then into 7" pieces so each piece measures 4 by 7. Then I took the time to sew around each edge to prevent fraying.
Here are some of the clothes as I was sewing them.
With the fabric I bought, I got roughly 90 cloths to use. I set them in a little basket that I already kept next to my toilet. I also made up a bottle of spray, using the same mixture I use on my DIY baby wipes, to moisten the clothes if needed for either cleaning up or for going number 2.
Once the cloths were dirty, I needed to find something to put them in and I wanted something with a lid on it. I had an extra 5 gallon bucket that I keep around the house, so I added a garbage bag to that to use for trash. I took my beat up garbage can and added a mesh laundry bag to the insert to use for the dirty cloths.
My garbage can has seen better days since I've had it for about a decade now. It has a big dent on the top and rust spots from my well water that no amount of scrubbing has been able to remove to date. Eventually, I want to get a small garbage can to use for the cloths but for now this will do since I was trying to see how well this worked before I invested too much money into the project itself. I did fill the insert about half full of a water and vinegar mix to soak the cloths and to prevent any smells.
There are a few reasons I chose to try this out.
1. Toilet paper is expensive. I have a difficult time with using an item once and then literally flushing that money down the toilet.
2. Cloths are reusable so they do help prevent extra waste and help sustain the environment.
3. I have sensitive skin. I don't care how soft toilet paper is, and the nicer ones are more expensive, it can irritate my skin.
4. I am a diabetic. I mentioned that I have sensitive skin, but the diabetes makes my skin even more sensitive. During Aunt Flows visit, my skin can chafe and feel like its rubbed raw. Toilet paper just makes that feeling worse. I explained this to someone not to long ago by saying that it was like having your sensitive bits rubbed raw with sandpaper and then having to put clothes on, touching those sensitive bits, and walking around like nothing was wrong. Talk about uncomfortable.
5. Cost. For what I spend in just one month of toilet paper, I have enough to last me for years. Yes, I will have to do more laundry but since I make my own laundry soap, that increased expense is nil compared to the cost of toilet paper, especially when prices just keep going up and up on everything.
6. Comfort. Have I mentioned that the cloth is soft. I was in heaven. It is soft, absorbent, and comfortable.
7. Pampering. I have also thought about adding a baby wipe warmer to the arsenal at some point in the future so that would mean the cloths would be warm and moist, a nice feeling on tender skin.
Yes, I will wash my cloths separately from my other clothes, similar to how cloth diapers are laundered.
Bottom line, I am thrilled. I still have toilet paper in the house. I am the only one using the family cloth right now. My daughter is still leary of the concept and I won't force her to use them. She did try one of them and commented on how soft they were so I may make a convert out of her yet. In the mean time, I will enjoy the soft feeling on my sensitive bits and encourage her to try them too.
Acknowledging your weirdness can be fun. I acknowledge mine and own it. lol.
Have you tried family cloth? What was your experience? Please let me know if you have any questions and I will answer as best I can since I am new to them as well.
Danielle
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